Blog Archives
Remember that Florida Ave Multimodal Transportation Study?
Three years ago, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) started a multimodal transportation study of Florida Avenue, focusing on the stretch from North Capitol to H Street/Benning Road. 
The study was to “evaluate safety, streetscape, and operational enhancements to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists while ensuring all users have safe access within and through this important corridor”. Ultimately outcomes would recommend ways to improve safety and balance transportation needs of all users (pedestrians, bikers, and vehicle drivers) of this corridor.
Community Outreach Advisors that participated in the report included, among many others, the former ANC 5D06 Commissioner, a former Trinidad resident and TNA board member, staff of Gallaudet University, and a representative of New Samaritan Baptist Church.
A website for the study was established to provide information to the public and houses reports from the initial meetings through the release of the final report. This includes meetings as far back as June 2013 with residents of Delta Towers. The final report, completed in February 2015, was released by DDOT on February 26, 2016. The report is available on the website and is in two .pdf files (Part 1 and Part 2). There are short-term recommendations that focus on the “virtual circle” where New York and Florida Avenues intersect.
The report, released a year after completion, will need to be reviewed for full context and understanding but the recommendations listed on pages 110-111 are included below:
“Some smaller scale changes to the study area can likely be implemented much sooner than changes to the roadway configuration. These include:
- Changes to off-peak parking restrictions east of West Virginia Avenue to match the recommendation in Alternative 4 that parking only be restricted in the peak direction during each peak period.
- Continued short-term refinement of the ongoing changes to 6th Street NE north of Florida Avenue. During the development of this report, this section of 6th Street was restriped to include a two-way cycle track on the east side of the roadway (consistent with Alternative 3) and curb extensions with flower pots at the Neal Place pedestrian crossing.
- Possible bike lanes on West Virginia Avenue, contingent upon parking occupancy availability as determined through a parking study.
- Pavement marking, signal timing changes, and signing modifications at the Virtual Circle.
- Cutting back the curb at First Street NE/ Florida Avenue to allow eastbound buses to again travel through the Virtual Circle and onto Florida Avenue
- Further dialogue with the COA will also help highlight locations for more fine-grained interventions such as collaboration with National Park Service regarding the use and maintenance of the small triangular parks under NPS ownership, and matters of access and driveways.
As some of these short-term recommendations come to fruition, DDOT will be working with design firms to develop a full design of Florida Avenue NE between 2nd Street NE and Holbrook Street. Pending funding availability, reconstruction of Florida Avenue could occur in 2021, or sooner, pending project readiness and funding availability. The District Department of Transportation expects and encourages ongoing dialogue about Florida Avenue and surrounding streets beyond this planning study. Project milestones and known next steps will continue to be shared with the Community Outreach Advisors group and regular check-ins with ANCs.”
For background on this project you can also read previous posts about public meetings on the TNA blog (links are: June 5, 2013, October 7, 2013, March 27, 2014).
We hope that you can take time to review the document and continue discussions on how to make our streets and sidewalks safe for all Trinidad residents. We will also be reading through the document in the coming days but did want to share that is was finally made available to the public for our review.
Bureau of Zoning Case Updates
There have been a few cases requesting variance or special exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment in the past few months. Here is an update on two recent cases that completed their BZA approval process.
BZA Case 18995 at 1254 Florida Avenue NE
This request was to construct a second story on an existing carriage house in the alley between Morse and Florida Ave NE. The special exceptions were unanimously approved by BZA.
BZA Case 18987 at 1124 – 1126 Florida Avenue NE
The case was before BZA on several times in June and July and after numerous meetings with the community. The applicant, Pierce Investments, submitted a final revised plan to BZA on July 7th. The final revisions, which can be viewed on the BZA site, include several changes to the variances requested:
- The request for height variance was dropped. Originally they asked for variance to build at 53 feet, 3 feet above the by right 50 feet. Instead of a higher ceiling commercial space, the developer may utilize the space for residential units if they cannot find a retailer that will rent a space with 10-foot ceilings.
- The fifth floor was set back 24.2 feet so that the height is not as visible and out of character with the neighboring town houses.
- Rear yard relief requested was reduced by 50%.
- The Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) requested was also reduced from 3.6% to 3.4%.
The BZA meeting on July 14th voted to approve the case. There were 3 votes in favor and one against relief requested.
Controversial Florida Ave Development Project before BZA Tomorrow!
Pierce Investments, LLC (1124 Florida Ave NE) to Appear Before the Board of Zoning Adjustment on Tuesday, June 9th
Pierce Investments, LLC (1124 Florida Ave NE) to Appear Before the Board of Zoning Adjustment on Tuesday, June 9th at 9:30 am in Suite 220 South of 441 4th Street NW. There have been at least two ANC Single Member District Meetings regarding this development. Those have been contentious and not addressed all issues/questions raised by community members. Pierce Investments, LLC is scheduled to appear before the full ANC on June 9th at 7:00 pm, after their BZA hearing.
The BZA Calendar lists the hearing as one of nine scheduled. Hearing notes on the calendar are:
| Case Number : | 18987 | |
| Case Name : | Application of Pierce Investments, LLC | |
| Case Summary : | (Area Variance) Request pursuant to 11 DCMR § 3103.2, for variances from the height requirements under § 770, the floor area ratio requirements under § 771, the rear yard requirements under § 774, and the residential loading requirements under § 2201, to allow the construction of a five-story multi-family building containing 52 units in the C-2-A District at premises 1124 Florida Avenue N.E. (Square 4070, Lot 808). | |
| ANC : | 5D | |
| Result : |
Pierce Investments has submitted a Pre-hearing letter with additional information and design changes. While they have reduced the number of dwelling units from 52 to 44, they maintain need for a variance in height requirements and rear yard set back. Please refer to the attached Prehearing Statement.
To date, only one letter of opposition has been submitted and the BZA hearing is being held prior to the ANC vote. Anyone that wants to weigh in on the decision should attend the hearing tomorrow or submit a letter to the BZA. Detailed instructions for submission of testimony can be located at: http://www.dcoz.dc.gov/bza/testimony.shtm
Zoning Update on the Pierce Investments, LLC
BZA Case number 18987 was postponed until June 9, 2015. The reason for the postponement was to work with the community and the ANC. The developer was originally seeking variances from height requirements, the floor area ratio requirements, the rear yard requirements, and residential loading requirements to allow construction of a five-story multi-family building containing 52 units in the C-2-A District premises at 1124 Florida Avenue NE. In a subsequent meeting with the ANC Single Member District, the developer reduced the number of units to remove the residential loading requirement. They were still seeking height and other variances.
As meetings are scheduled, TNA will post notices so that community members can be aware of the variances requested. To date few community members have submitted letters with views in opposition or support of the project.
Meeting on proposed development at Florida & Orren NE: Monday, November 18
Join Commissioner Tina Laskaris (ANC-5D06) for a Single Member District meeting on Monday, November 18, 2013, 6:30 pm at Joe Cole Rec Center. The discussion will focus on the proposed Lock 7 development at the corner of Florida Ave. and Orren St. NE.
Florida Ave. NE Transportation Study: Public workshop October 17
Second Public Meeting
When: Thursday, October 17, 7:00-9:00pm
Where: Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE – Jordan Student Academic Center (JSAC), Sprint Multipurpose Room (campus map)
Purpose of the Study
The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) has initiated a multimodal safety and planning study of Florida Avenue, NE. Focusing on the Florida Avenue corridor from New York Avenue to H Street/Benning Road (open a larger study area map here), the study will evaluate safety, streetscape, and operational enhancements to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists while ensuring all users have safe access within and through this important corridor.
A critical link in the District’s roadway network and part of a bourgeoning area of the city, Florida Avenue, NE is a complex corridor with multiple land uses, varying roadway conditions, and important transit connections. The corridor serves as the main street for the Gallaudet University campus and residents of Wards 5 and 6, as well as an increasingly popular regional destination following the development of Union Market and the NoMa business district. This study seeks to effectively balance the transportation needs of all users of the corridor.
Get Involved
DDOT is committed to ensuring that Florida Avenue, NE is a safe transportation corridor and wants to engage with those who live, work and recreate in the area. The study process will include three public meetings at key stages in the planning process, and all interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend. In addition, the public is encouraged to submit ideas and input regarding transportation improvements along Florida Avenue, using the online mapping and comment features on this web site. In addition, a Community Outreach Advisors group will be providing guidance to the DDOT team throughout the planning process.
Initial concepts and alternatives, as well as public meeting materials, will be posted on the study web site as the study progresses.
Additionally information will be posted at www.floridaavesafety.org.
TNA monthly community meeting: Tuesday, June 25
Please join us on June 25 at Trinidad Rec Center!
**UPDATED flyer below – additional guests include Tree House Lounge and Holy Name Catholic Church.**
This month representatives from EDENS (the folks behind the new Union Market) will present details of the proposed Gateway Market & Residences project, which will be located at the corner of 4th St. and Florida Ave. NE. We’ll also have updates from MPD-5D and neighborhood ANCs. As always, we’d love to hear your community announcements! After this meeting, we’ll be on summer break for July and August and will meet again on September 24.
A few additional updates to share:
- DDOT has initiated a multimodal safety and planning study of Florida Ave. NE. The first community meeting was this past Wednesday at Gallaudet University, and the next public meeting will take place in September. In all, DDOT plans to have three public meetings for the study. Please sign up for updates on the study’s site, and be sure to add your comments to the interactive map.
- This past Monday, June 17, Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Chairperson of the Committee on Economic Development and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations held a joint public roundtable on the surplus and lease of the Webb School property to KIPP DC. You can read TNA’s testimony here, and more about KIPP DC’s Webb Campus here.
- Thank you to all the neighbors who helped make this year’s TNA Garden Tour a smashing success! Check out some photos from the day on Frozen Tropics.
Florida Ave. NE Transportation Study: Public meeting June 19
First Public Meeting
When: Wednesday, June 19, 7:00-9:00pm
Where: Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE – Chapel Hall (campus map)
Purpose of the Study
The DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) has initiated a multimodal safety and planning study of Florida Avenue, NE. Focusing on the Florida Avenue corridor from New York Avenue to H Street/Benning Road (open a larger study area map here), the study will evaluate safety, streetscape, and operational enhancements to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists while ensuring all users have safe access within and through this important corridor.
A critical link in the District’s roadway network and part of a bourgeoning area of the city, Florida Avenue, NE is a complex corridor with multiple land uses, varying roadway conditions, and important transit connections. The corridor serves as the main street for the Gallaudet University campus and residents of Wards 5 and 6, as well as an increasingly popular regional destination following the development of Union Market and the NoMa business district. This study seeks to effectively balance the transportation needs of all users of the corridor.
Get Involved
DDOT is committed to ensuring that Florida Avenue, NE is a safe transportation corridor and wants to engage with those who live, work and recreate in the area. The study process will include three public meetings at key stages in the planning process, and all interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend. In addition, the public is encouraged to submit ideas and input regarding transportation improvements along Florida Avenue, using the online mapping and comment features on this web site. In addition, a Community Outreach Advisors group will be providing guidance to the DDOT team throughout the planning process.
Initial concepts and alternatives, as well as public meeting materials, will be posted on the study web site as the study progresses.
Additionally information will be posted at http://www.floridaavesafety.org.
Trinidad Neighborhood Association 